It’s no secret that our country has been spiraling out of economic control over the past few years resulting in many families losing everything, including their homes.

The Primavera Foundation, located at 702 S Sixth Avenue in Tucson, is a campus offering some much-needed relief for families who have nowhere to go and no one to turn to. Their objective is to help those families transition from poverty to a greater well-being and security. And although Primavera is a refuge for the homeless, it’s not just temporary housing. The employees who make up Primavera’s nonprofit are determined to make certain the families who enter their front doors leave feeling like that have taken full advantage of the organization’s many onsite programs available to them free of charge.

First and foremost, the Primavera foundation offers immediate emergency relief. Their on-the-spot overnight shelter affords families a sigh a relief and a warm welcoming place to sleep. By sunup, the organization has set up an appointment with a case manager and granted those individuals, families and couples access to its mail and messaging services, eviction prevention as well as food and clothing. Households without dependents can stay up to 30 days; those with dependents can stay up to 90 days.

Around the city, 184 temporary housing units (most occupied for up to two years) are made available to families depending on their varied levels of case management. These units help in rebuilding family’s lives, advancing education, overcoming illnesses or upgrading employment. With most people unaware of their employable skills, Primavera has an employment center where individuals can learn new skills that would help in entering or re-entering the job market. With continuing counseling, job search classes and job placement, the foundation helps employ more than 900 individuals annually. Other additional onsite programs include the homeownership programs, which guides families through one-on-one credit counseling and homebuyer education classes. Additionally, the financial education program, which teaches families how to budget money and develop financial goals and finally the neighborhood revitalization, which helps families find affordable housing when they are ready to leave.

The Primavera Foundation’s determination to help individuals through community education and advocacy has made them a beacon of hope for those suffering from homelessness and a savior to the community.

For more information or a way you can contribute, visit: www.primavera.org.